scholarly journals Learning Strategies Preference of Iraqi EFL Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 718-735
Author(s):  
Dr. Umer Alyas

The current study aims at investigating Iraqi EFL learners’ knowledge and preference of language learning strategies. Data are collected using two self-reported questionnaires; a background questionnaire and the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL, Oxford, 1990) with some modifications to meet the needs of this study. The following questions are asked: 1-Are students aware of the concept of LLS? 2- If yes, how much they know about it? 3- What are the kinds of LLS they employed in their learning? 4- What are their preferred strategies? The questionnaires are submitted to a total sample that consists of 77 students.  The results show that 80.5% of the students have no knowledge whatsoever about LLS. The rest of them (19.5%) shows confused and mixed information. Moreover, the metacognitive strategies are the most often used strategies with the highest “often” percentage of 53.1%. Next is the cognitive and memory strategies of 43.2% & 40.2 percentages respectively. These highest rates show the most preferred strategies used by the students in our department. As for the frequency of use, the metacognitive strategies are still the preferred and most frequently used with a total percentage of 92.6%. Memory strategies hold the second position with a total percentage of 90%. The rest shows the same range of frequency except the effective strategies that fall behind by approximately 10% to 15% less than the rest.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don Yao

Abstract Language Learning Strategies (LLSs) as a pluralistic and pervasive strategic system (Yan & Zha, 2011, p. 1) always attaches great importance of Second Language Acquisition (SLA). Numerous researchers have been working on this topic since the 1970s. Also, since students differ from person to person in their adoption of learning strategies and the research on differences in individuals develops, the topic of gender differentiation has arisen in the LLSs. Research related to gender and LLSs has been brought to the forefront in the last three decades, and many studies have found that gender can have a significant impact on LLSs (Zafar, 2012, p. 640). In China, most of the previous studies in learning strategies have paid attention to age, motivation, aptitude, educational level, good language learners, etc. But not much has been done in terms of the perspective of gender. Also, as one of the special economic zones in China, researchers may neglect the importance of Macau for most of them have focused more on Hong Kong. This paper then investigated the use of LLSs by a group of ESL learners in a Macau public university. It emphasized the gender differences and aimed to find out how gender affected the use of LLSs. Quantitative research method was adopted in this paper. A total of 188 ESL learners (M = 92, F = 96) participated in this study. The instrument Oxford’s 50-item Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) questionnaire was used. In consideration of their English proficiency levels, Liao’s (2002) Chinese version of the SILL questionnaire was adopted so that it was easier for students to understand. Moreover, the statistical software SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. The major findings were that gender as a variable affected students’ strategy use with female students (`X = 3.26) more frequently used strategies than male students (`X = 3.22), and they both used metacognitive strategies the most (M:`X = 3.41; F: `X = 3.49) and memory strategies the least (M:`X = 3.01; F: `X = 3.11). In terms of gender and frequency of LLSs use, metacognitive strategies showed the strongest correlation (r = .88) and memory strategies showed the weakest (r = .64). To sum up, for students, they can learn English more efficiently and effectively with the guidance of proper learning strategies. And students with gender differentiation will use more useful strategies when learning a foreign language; For teachers, they can teach students with their actual needs with the help of learning strategies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 584-586 ◽  
pp. 2735-2739
Author(s):  
Yong Hong Sun ◽  
Ling Zheng ◽  
Xiao Wei Jiang ◽  
Tian Shuo Wang

The main purpose of the research is to find out the similarities or differences in employing foreign language learning strategies between female students and male students of Engineering Design Specialty. The investigation instruments included a questionnaire and Statistical Product and Service Solutions. There are altogether 41 valid questionnaires. The results show that both female students and male students of Engineering Design Specialty sometimes use the foreign language learning strategies at medium level. Male students use memory strategies, metacognitive strategies and affective strategies more frequently than female students, while female students use compensation strategies more frequently than male students. There is no statistically significant difference between female students and male students in using both direct learning strategies and indirect learning strategies, including memory strategies, compensation strategies, metacognitive strategies, affective strategies.


Author(s):  
Luu Hon Vu ◽  
Le Quoc Tuan ◽  
Tran Thi Ngoc Anh ◽  
Nguyen Thi Phuong Truc

The purpose of this research paper is to look into the current situation of using learning strategies and the key factors that influence English learning strategies of tertiary students who major in economics at Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City. On the basis of Oxford’s (1990) theory on language learning strategies, the study conducted a questionnaire survey with the participation of 300 students. The results show that economics-majored students use English learning strategies at a relatively high frequency, with the metacognitive strategies group having the highest frequency; the groups of affective strategies and compensation strategies have the lowest frequency of use. It also draws a conlusion that individual factors such as gender, grade level, and major do not appear to have a significant impact on students' use of English learning strategies. There are no significant differences between male and female students, between students of all grades, and between students of different majors in the frequency of using English learning strategies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2019 (1) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Joseph Wood

Language learning strategies (LLSs) are made up of the conscious and deliberate actions that language learners take in order to help them learn a language. It would be useful, however, to know which particular LLSs are the most effective so we can in turn focus on them in class and encourage our students to begin using them. To do this, we should ask ourselves, what kinds of LLSs do advanced-level students use in their own language learning? This study examined that question in hopes of learning the most effective strategies to teach our lower-level students to use. An advanced-level class of 18 second-year university students in Japan was surveyed on the effectiveness of LLSs based on a class-generated list. Following this, six students were selected for in-depth interviews. The survey and interview data found that students believed that speaking strategies are the most effective for learning English. 言語学習におけるストラテジー(LLSs)とは、学習者が言語を学びやすくするために起こす意識的かつ計画的な行動により構成されるものである。しかしながら、最も効果的なLLSsは何なのかを知ることは有益である。さらに授業の中でそれらのLLSsに注目し、学生たちがそれらを使い始めるように促すことを可能にするためである。それを知るために、私達は自分自身に次のように問うべきである―上級レベルの学生たちが英語学習の際に使っているのはどんなLLSsだろうか?本研究では、その答えを出し、初級レベルの学生たちにも最も効果的なLLSsを使って学習させるべく調査を展開している。日本のある大学の2年生18人の英語上級者クラスでは、学生たちが自ら作ったリストをもとに、それぞれのLLSsの効果を調査した。また、6人の学生に詳細なインタビューを受けてもらった。これらの調査により、英語上級者の学生たちが考える最も効果的なLLSsはスピーキングであるということがわかった。


Author(s):  
Pei-Ling Yang

The present study aims to investigate the effect of Facebook discussion on EFL learners' metacognitive strategy application. Various language learning strategies suggested in many studies have a positive and significant influence on learners' academic accomplishment. However, there is little research on how to promote the learners' learning strategy applications through the assistance of social networking. Social networking has been drawing huge attention in different research fields. Especially in higher education, it has been applied to promote learning, interaction, and engagement. Thus, in this study, 83 EFL college learners are recruited to participate in the Facebook discussion for the purpose of examining whether learning contexts would have an influence on learners' strategy applications, especially the metacognitive strategies. After a semester's study, the participants in the Facebook discussion group reported to apply more metacognitive strategies and most of them have positive attitudes towards the Facebook-assisted discussion.


Author(s):  
Wagdi Rashad Ali Bin-Hady ◽  
Abdu Al-kadi ◽  
Ali Abbas Falah Alzubi ◽  
Hassan Saleh Mahdi

This chapter reports on the Yemeni and Saudi EFL learners' use of language learning strategies (LLSs) in technology-mediated language learning contexts. The study examines whether nationality and gender play a significant role in using LLSs on electronic platforms. The study adopted a correlative design in which 100 Yemeni and Saudi university students were recruited to respond to an online close-ended questionnaire. Drawing on Oxford's classification of learning strategies, the findings of this study showed that metacognitive and cognitive strategies were used more frequently compared to the other LLSs. Moreover, the findings of t-test showed a significant difference in the use of LLSs attributed to nationality in favor of the Saudi learners and no significant difference in the choice of LLSs attributed to gender. The study provided some suggestions for EFL learners to benefit from technology in their English language learning.


Author(s):  
LUNINGNING A. TECSON ◽  
CHERRYL T. GABATILLA

English language is considered the most common medium of communication around the world however, it has been observed that English language proficiency among students is rapidly declining. The decline in English proficiency is also prevalent even among students who were said to excellent in grammar form and structure. This study was conducted to ascertain the relationship between the language learning strategies (LLS) and communication skills of the fast intermediate learners in Southern Philippines involving 76 respondents. The respondents were the entire population of the intermediate group in the Special Education (SPEd) Fast Learners program. Further, the study aimed to describe whether the LLS has significant predictive value on the students’ communication skills. In this study, two types of questionnaires were utilized. The first was the Strategy Inventory of Language Learning (SILL) questionnaire. The second part of the questionnaire dealt with communication skills. Employing non-experimental descriptive quantitative research design using correlational technique and utilizing Pearson-r and regression as statistical tools, result showed a significant relationship between language learning strategies and communication skills. The study concludes that only memory strategies indicator had a significant predictive value on students’ communication skills.Keywords: Linguistics, Language learning strategies, communication skills, non experimentaldescriptive quantitative research design, Southern Philippines


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